Hotel de l'Arve

Guests -- particularly couples -- enjoy this appealing, if basic, hotel for its excellent location and warm atmosphere. It is a cheery, welcoming spot to return to after a day of skiing and offers easy access to local entertainment and restaurants between trips to the surrounding Alps. The white building with brown shutters and flower boxes under windows, plus dark-wood paneling on the first floor, has a ski-resort charm. The lobby is a lovely space with a comfortable lounge by the bar and a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. The color scheme is largely neutral, but pops of pink and red in the stylish chairs and chic curtains are attractive and cheerful. Outside, a pretty courtyard with a patch of grass and some flower planters offers a nice spot to sit and enjoy the view of the mountain and the sound of the adjacent river rushing past. 

This hotel is centrally located in Chamonix, a small town nestled in the French Alps near the border of Italy and Switzerland. The hotel is in town, but at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac with the river Arne running behind the building. A two-minute walk away, there’s a pedestrian promenade with many shops and eateries to explore. Six minutes from the hotel there is a sports center with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, and a gym. It is a five-minute walk to a local casino, and a six-minute walk to a museum spotlighting the history of the area. There are two ski areas in walking distance -- one three minutes away, the other a 13-minute walk. Two-minutes from the hotel there is a bus stop with service to more skiing areas and other local stops. There is also a free private parking lot next to the hotel, for those with a car. It is a seven-minute walk to the train station, and the closest international airport is in Geneva, a 70-minute drive from the hotel. 

Standard rooms are small and light on amenities, but have an overall cozy feel. All have a warm design with wood wainscoting and pine furnishings, plus brown and white hues in bedding, curtains, and lampshades that achieve a look reminiscent of a ski cabin. Some, however, have tired green carpeting instead of wood floors, and old-fashioned red-and-green striped linens that give the rooms a more kitschy vibe. Still, they're clean and comfortable. Rooms have either a double bed or two twins, and triple rooms add a sleeper sofa. All have a flat-screen TV and a desk, but they lack a mini-fridge, safe, and kettle. Some rooms have furnished balconies with a view of one of the surrounding mountains. Bathrooms also vary in style, from sleek and contemporary to dated with red plastic sinks. They have either an enclosed shower stall or shower/tub combo. A separate water closet and heated towel rack are quality extras. Hairdryers are provided, as are free toiletries including soap, body lotion, and shampoo. Apartments were added in 2011 and sleep as many as seven people, with up to three separate bedrooms. They also have a living area, a full kitchen, and a balcony. The design is modern, using a neutral color scheme and a few bright pops of color to draw the eye. Apartments do not receive daily maid service, so guests will have to clean up after themselves during their visit.  

The breakfast area is an open space with an appealing look. Terra-cotta tile floors and a lot of matching wood in both furniture and wall panels can feel dated, but a bold black and red color scheme, pretty curtains, and stylish chairs modernize the space. Guests enjoy the breakfast and find it plentiful, but many prefer to eat in the local shops rather than pay the price at the hotel. Additionally, the lack of lunch or dinner service means guests must eat out for other meals. Free afternoon tea is served daily in a cozy lounge. The hotel has a ski storage room and a warming boot rack, which guests seem to appreciate. The fitness room is ill-equipped with just a few machines, but there are also a sauna and a short climbing wall for beginners or kids. The game room offers ping-pong and pool tables, books for borrow, and a couple of activities for children. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and most guests find it reliable.